Abstract: Disclosed is a supplying device of fixed colorants volume for a colorant dispenser. The supply device includes: a colorant source; a cylinder body having multiple piston cylinders arranged around a circumferential direction thereof; a swashplate having an oblique surface and arranged substantially coaxially with the cylinder body; multiple piston mechanisms, where each piston mechanism includes a piston rod and a piston connected to the piston rod, the piston rod has a rolling abutment structure abutting against the oblique surface, and the piston is constructed to be capable of making a stroke movement in the corresponding piston cylinder by means of rotation of the swashplate; an actuator for actuating the swashplate; a controller operatively connected to the actuator to control the amount of rotation of the swashplate; and an outlet for dispensing a colorant. Preferably, the supply device further includes an axial reset mechanism and a circumferential reset mechanism.

Abstract: The dispenser has a body (1), with a mouthpiece cover (2). Opening of the cover urges a junction member (3) towards a source (4) of a medicament to be released as a dose by pressing a spout (5) of the source inwards of the source. The source is supported by a cap (11) clipped to the end of a source-enclosing barrel (12) with intern al splines (10). The barrel is welded (15) to the main to part (16) of the body at a position determined by the extension of the source towards the distal end (17) of the barrel when the cover is open, the welding position being determined by a plug (18) simulating the cap and its bush.

Abstract: A counter including at least one counting ring, a switch, and an actuator movable in its longitudinal axis direction. The switch includes a guide and a switching element movable in an axial and azimuthal direction relative to the guide. The guide has at least one curved surface, directing at least one projecting part disposed on the switching element. A switching cam on the switching element meshes with toothing of the counting ring. The switching device converts linear movement of the actuator into rotational movement of the counting ring. The counting ring, secured by ratchets, rotates one angular increment each actuation of the actuator. The counter is suitable for different storage containers dispensing a product portion by portion and can be configured as a daily quantity counter or a total quantity counter, for example. The counter components are inserted into each other and held together by catch elements.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, and a reciprocating valve member engageable with the valve seat for controlling flow through a liquid outlet. A calibration device includes a rotatable stroke control stop member and a rotatable reference ring. The reference ring and stop member may be initially rotated to a zero position and, subsequently, the stop member may be rotated to set the desired stroke length. One or more fluid fittings are provided and sealed against the valve body using a clamp plate.

Abstract: An indicating device for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container includes a first indicator member incrementally moveable to a plurality of positions and a second indicator member operably connected to the first indicator member. The second indicator member is moveable in response to a predetermined number of movements of the first indicator member. One of the first and second indicator members includes numerical indicia and the other thereof includes color indicia.

Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage, The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.

Abstract: An indicating device for use with a dispensing device that dispenses metered dosages of a medicament from a container having a valve moveable between an open and closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the container is reciprocally moveable within the housing along a longitudinal axis. The housing preferably has a well adapted to receive a valve stem and an exhaust port. The well communicates with the port such that the metered dosage of medicament is dispensed through the port when the valve is moved to the open position. An indicator assembly comprises an indicator member that includes dosage indicia visible to a user. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator assembly is provided in an indicator module. A method for dispensing measured dosages is also provided, along with a kit capable of being assembled as an inhalation device. A delivery system having a key member and a key entry passageway is also provided.

Abstract: A removably attachable automatic squeeze bottle utilization cycle counting device comprises a squeeze bottle, a nozzle, a removable nozzle cap for isolating the nozzle from the outside environment and a hinged mechanism which attaches onto the squeeze bottle and nozzle in a removable manner. This mechanism locates the nozzle cap relative to the nozzle and indicates the number of times the nozzle cap has been removed or replaced in a given cycle. The mechanism comprises upper and lower clips for removably attaching the mechanism to the bottle and nozzle cap, a rotatable part, a set of symbols, an indicator and mechanical means for indexing the rotatable part. Each time the nozzle cap is removed, or each time it is replaced, the rotatable part is automatically indexed to the next sequential position.

Abstract: An automatic squeeze-bottle utilization cycle counting device in the form of a squeeze bottle, a bottle cap having a nozzle attached to the squeeze bottle and a removable nozzle cap hinged to the bottle cap for isolating the nozzle from the outside environment. An indicating mechanism indicates the number of times the nozzle cap has been removed and replaced is provided in the form of a rotatable part rotatably attached to the bottle cap, a set of symbols on the rotatable part, a window in the nozzle cap for sequential indication of the symbols and cooperating ratchet elements on the rotatable part and the nozzle cap for indexing the rotatable part. The device provides positive positioning of the nozzle cap and allows tracking of compliance with a prescribed regimen which includes using the contents of the squeeze-bottle, while decreasing the risk of contamination of the nozzle and the contents of the bottle.

Abstract: A system delivers a number of safe doses from a pressurized and metered medication canister via a dispenser to a patient. The improvement includes a counter device for accurately determining the number of safe doses delivered from the medication canister. Also, a warning device alerts the patient either visually, audibly, mechanically or in a combination thereof about an impending and then a final exhaustion of the number of safe doses delivered from the medication canister. The improved system takes advantage of the patient-actuated movement of the medication canister in the dispenser body to activate either an electronic or a mechanical counter device. Alternatively, the improved system may be patient-activated independently from, but in conjunction with, the dispensing of medication from the canister.

Abstract: Equipment is provided to solve the problem of affording information, in connection with dispensing of beverage from a pressurized keg via a tap controlled with a tap handle, about the level of beverage remaining in the keg. Preferably, the tap handle is caused to contain a power source, a position-sensitive switch, a microprocessor containing a timer, a reset associated with the microprocessor to be activated when a new keg is started, a device for causing the microprocessor to accumulate an aggregate amount of time since the reset was most recently activated, and a display or output responsive to the microprocessor to give signals (clock-face-style display, digital and/or alphanumeric display, or in some aspects of the invention, a flashing light or even simply an audible signal) to let the user know what the level of liquid in the keg is or that it has reached a point near to the end of the quarter-barrel or half-barrel keg now in use.

Abstract: A liquid feed apparatus which returns liquid to a tank by emptying a common pipe to prevent mixing of liquids. The liquid feed apparatus further does not display the amount of liquid in the feed pipe at the beginning of the liquid feed from the nozzle to prevent any error in liquid feed amount.

Abstract: A counter device attachment for a depressible spray dispenser for products such as medicine. The dispenser comprises a clip to fit about the side wall of the dispenser's casing, a foot-leg positioned beneath the dispenser and connected to the clip, and a counter actuated by the shaft which moves within a shaft housing, wherein a button on the counter is incremented each time the tank is depressed. The length of the vertical shaft is adjustable by controlling the rotation of the top end of the shaft which is mateably threaded to the bottom end of the shaft. The bottom end of the shaft can be threaded within the top end of the shaft or vice-versa. The clip can alternatively be curved or have a dimpled surface which may contact another dimple through a hole in the side of the dispenser. A second embodiment features the counter located beneath the dispenser which is also incremented each time the tank is depressed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for serving beer at proper CO.sub.2 content and proper temperature for best taste, comprises a draft tower for distributing beer at the proper gas content and at the proper temperature. A plurality of beer barrels connected in series are in turn connected to the draft tower by a pipeline. A CO.sub.2 gas cylinder is connected to the barrels for supplying gas at an elevated pressure sufficient to move the beer from the barrels along the pipeline to the tower. A heater is provided for heating the barrel to an elevated temperature above the proper temperature for taste, so that the gas content in the barrel does not rise above the proper gas content under the influence of possibly elevated pressure needed to convey the beer. Near or at the draft tower, the beer is recooled to the proper temperature and thus served at a proper temperature and with the proper gas content.

Abstract: A method for zero-resetting of a device for measuring transmitted torque while a cycle is in motion consists in monitoring a phenomenon or a parameter which is normally variable during normal use of the cycle and which disappears or becomes constant when the driving wheel rotates on free-wheel motion. When the disappearance or the constant character of the phenomenon or parameter thus monitored is observed during a predetermined period of time, one initiates zero-resetting of the detector system or of the measuring system proper of the torque-measuring device. The device for carrying out the method includes on the one hand a monitor for the phenomenon or parameter and on the other hand a control which are operated in dependence on the signal emitted by the monitor and which are then capable of producing action on the detection system or the measuring system in order to reset either of these two systems to zero.

Abstract: A dosing mechanism in the form of a manually operable, single-acting piston pump, which dispenses a given quantity of a substance, e.g. in atomized form, during each actuating stroke has a counter. For this purpose, a counting ring mounted in rotary manner on a base part is provided, which is advanced by one step per actuating stroke by an indexing device with cooperating and correspondingly bevelled ribs, so that in each case a different character in the counting ring appears at a window in the actuating pusher casing. Two projections cooperating with one another in a given position of the counting ring form a locking device against further actuation of the atomizing pump, when a given number of strokes have been performed.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system comprises a supply of liquid (121), a pump (101), a meter (161) and a plurality of dispensing points or stations, (181) each controlled by a solenoid valve (201). A control box (281) monitors the meter and controls by electronic apparatus which station is enabled (that is, which solenoid valve (201) is opened) and displays on a display (261) provided a reading derived from the meter. In one embodiment, selection of a station (181) is effected at the control box but the invention also provides electronic apparatus enabling selection to be effected at each station. The invention does away with the need for a meter at each station and finds application in the dispensing of oil or the like in garage workshops.

Abstract: A gasoline pump computer reset lock apparatus has a mounting bracket for being attached inside a gasoline pump housing. A bolt or plunger is moveably positioned in a plunger housing attached to the mounting bracket. The plunger is in a locked position when one of its ends is closed against a stop and is in an unlocked position when that one end is spaced back from the stop. A control apparatus is coupled to move the plunger to the locked or unlocked positions. One end of a link is attached to a rotatable crank member. The crank is coupled to a reset lever so that the link moves into the space between the plunger and the stop when the reset lever is rotated. The link is moveably attached to the mounting bracket so that when the plunger is in the locked position against the stop, the forward end of the link encounters the plunger and is prevented from moving into the space.

Abstract: A processor is used to control a price display unit for a fluid-dispensing system. The amount of fluid dispensed by the system in measured and information responsive thereto is fed to the processor. The processor calculates the cost of the dispensed fluid and those costs are then displayed. The processor automatically cross-checks the validity of the displayed cost with the amount of fluid dispensed. A plurality of self-checking features insure proper system operation and also preserve signals stored in a memory if there is a power failure.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting a two-lever gasoline dispensing pump to a single lever system. The converted single lever unit includes a frame having an upper inverted U-shaped frame section and a pair of volume and cost registers are mounted in side-by-side relation within the upper frame section. A reset mechanism is operably connected to each register and the reset mechanisms are located at opposite sides of the frame. Each reset mechanism includes a shaft and the original operating handle located on the outside of the pump is carried by a second shaft which is off-set from the reset shaft and is connected to the reset shaft through a gear drive. When the hose nozzle is removed, the operating handle can be rotated to reset or clear the register and activate the fuel valve and pump. When dispensing has been completed, rotation of the handle to its original position will deactivate the fuel valve and pump, but the register will not be cleared until a subsequent resetting cycle is accomplished.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser with a resettable register having a safety limit mechanism for limiting the amount of fuel dispensed by means of a gear trip mechanism indexed by the register to trip a shut-off valve after an adjustable safety limit is dispensed. The trip mechanism is reset for a succeeding delivery automatically by the register reset mechanism during the register reset cycle or manually by a reset push-button on the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for dispensing adjustable volumes of a liquid, comprising a stopper adaptable on the neck of a flask, which incorporates a device with valves; a calibrated cylinder which is mounted in the stopper and which comprises, near its free upper end, a fixed, outwardly projecting, annular stop; a calibrated cylindrical plunger adapted to cooperate with said calibrated cylinder; a body for actuating the calibrated plunger, internally defining a first cavity in which a threaded adjusting shaft is adapted to be housed, which shaft may modify the vertical position of a nut; a digital display system mounted in the upper part of the threaded shaft; a member for driving the shaft in rotation, and a connector is provided to connect the actuator body with the upper part of the calibrated plunger. The invention finds particular application in laboratory equipment.

Abstract: A liquid fuel dispensing system having a plurality of dispensing pumps each generating electric pulses according to the volume of fuel dispensed and a central control where payment is made. A data transmission link couples each pump to the central control and each pump has a pulse store which accumulates pulses generated by the pump during a dispensing operation. A sampling mechanism at the central control samples the outputs from the pulse stores which are updated at each sampling. First and second storage elements are provided to store information at the central control relating to previous pump transaction whereby such pump can be cleared for use by second customer before first customer has paid.

Abstract: The circuit arrangement includes a transformer having a primary side included in at least one phase conductor of a polyphase supply for the load. A control circuit is connected to the secondary side of the transformer and includes a threshold circuit receiving a control signal from the transformer, a memory circuit receiving a threshold signal from the threshold circuit, a bistable switch connected to the threshold circuit and the memory circuit and switched, by the threshold signal, to a position preventing the stored signal from being passed on from said memory circuit, and a controlled electronic switch inserted in the phase conductor and controlled and opened by the stored signal. A resetting switch is operable to reset the control circuit to the initial state, and a delay device may be interposed between the memory circuit and the controlled electronic switch to delay opening of the latter until after a subsequent operation of the repetition-blocking device.